Penguin Plunge 2014

With a water temperature of 56 and air a little warmer, county residents ran toward the surf and ritually entered the Pacific Ocean at Del Mar in the 28th annual Penguin Plunge.

Bill Schildge, left and Merrily McLellan, both of Del Mar share a laugh wearing the proper headgear on New Year's Day moments before plunging into the Pacific at Del Mar.
— John Gastaldo / John Gastaldo/U-T San Diego

Members of the Yanovitch family, all from Scottsdale, AZ, celebrate after they were able to get Peter Yanovitch's wheelchair into the surfline during the Penguin Plunge.
— John Gastaldo / John Gastaldo/U-T San Diego

Monica Valentino and son Anthony Valentino, both of Del Mar get ready to take the plunge on the beach in front of the lifeguard station by Powerhouse Park Wednesdsay morning.
— John Gastaldo / John Gastaldo/U-T San Diego

Syrus Beeson, 10, of San Diego, runs toward the beach after plunging into the water in Del Mar ahead of his father Josh Beeson holding daughter Sierra Beeson, 5.
— John Gastaldo / John Gastaldo/U-T San Diego